Bill Text: HI HB629 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

---

Bill Title: Liquor Commission Employees; Political Activities

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [HB629 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-HB629-Amended.html

---

 

 

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  91

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   H.B. No. 629

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 629 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIQUOR COMMISSION EMPLOYEES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to promote fairness in the political process by removing restrictions on county Liquor Commission employees from participating in political activities.

 

     The Hawaii Government Employees Association testified in support of this bill.

 

     Currently, county Liquor Commission employees face certain restrictions when participating in political activities, including requirements to notify their employer in writing of their political activities.  This is unlike other public employees who are permitted, during their non-work hours, to actively work on political campaigns or other political activities to assist in the election or defeat of a candidate.  This is due, in part, to the nature of the work of Liquor Commission employees.

 

     Although your Committee notes that Liquor Commission employees should enjoy the rights to participate in the political process enjoyed by other public employees, their unique situation necessitates that some restrictions be maintained.

 

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

(1)  Reinserting language prohibiting Liquor Commission employees from soliciting or receiving contributions, or receiving or transferring money or anything of value from a licensee for the purpose of supporting, advocating, or aiding in the election or defeat of a candidate for public office;

 

     (2)  Reinserting penalty provisions; and

 

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 629, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 629, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

 

 

		____________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair